A flat and disappointing performance considering we were going into the game with huge confidence. Let’s look at how the players performed.
Wojciech Szczesny - 6 - Despite conceding, he couldn't have done anything about their first goal. ‘The Woj’ as I like to call him made a top save from Do Prado and then off the line to prevent Southampton from scoring another.
Bacary Sagna - 5 - Failure to clear the ball led to their first goal. He had a shaky start leading to poor balls delivered into the box. But remained solid and didn’t let his opposing player get past at anytime during the match.
Laurent Koscielny - 7 - Personally, I felt Koscielny’s performance was consistent despite the shaky feelings given off at the back. He grew in confidence a protected Szcznesy’s goal for his life.
Thomas Vermaelen - 7 - Performed brilliantly in the air throughout the first half with 100% aerials won. He dealt well with the pressure that was caused but Southampton’s front three and developed a strong relationship with his centre pairing.
Kieran Gibbs - 7 - It was a tale of two halves for Gibbs. Sloppy passes in the first half allowed them back into the game and was caught out of position a number of times.
However, the second half told a different story, making many forward runs, putting in 6 tackles and supporting Gervinho going forward when he came on. A promising performance from the young chap.
Mikel Arteta - 6 - Did what he does best. He sat back and tried to slow down the tempo of the game. His passing was crisp and precise earning himself 92% pass accuracy but hit attempt to break up Southampton’s attacking display was poor and lacked bite.
Jack Wilshere - 6 - Took control of the game in the first half and led by example. Putting strong tackles in and letting the Southampton players know he was there. With this in mind, he hid in the second half but retained an 85% pass accuracy.
Santi Cazorla - 5 - Santi struggled to get going and impose his obvious quality in the middle of the pitch. Unable to create anything of substance, he was predictably substituted in the second half.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 6 - From the start he put LB Luke Shaw under pressure and caused a threat going forward. When Gibbs wanted to get forward and cause pressure, he would provide excellent cover to stop our defence from becoming exposed.
Theo Walcott - 6 - A huge difference in performance from last week’s demolition of Newcastle and struggled to get service from the midfielders getting only 7 touches in the first half. Our first goal came from his enticing cross that led to a Do Prado own goal.
Lukas Podolski - 6 - A poor performance from the German led to an early and fair substitution. He did the simple things well but lacked guile and creativity, providing little going forward.
Olivier Giroud - 5 - Coming on half way through the second half, Giroud tried to hold up the ball but couldn't gain control.
Aaron Ramsey - 5 - Was brought onto the pitch as a fresh pair of legs but proved to be ineffective going forward.
Gervinho - 5 - Performed as he had done throughout the duration of the season so far. Below par
Overall, not a great start to the new year. The performance was not convincing enough for a top four side and doesn't reflect our recent form.
We have a few days until our next game and we must compensate for the points lost. Till then.
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